May 21, (THEWILL) – Giving it a unique touch, African Cuisine fans across the globe are preparing themselves for the National Institute For Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) 2023 Gastronomy Festival, like no other, as one of the most culturally eclectic culinary arts would experience activities range including local and foreign delicacies, dances, drama, among others.
Earlier this week, planning and arrangements for the third consecutive NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival, scheduled to be held in Abuja, received a boost when Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Trinidad and Tobago indicated an interest in showcasing their countries’ culinary arts and musical performances. The three countries made the commitment to participate in the 2023 Gastronomy Festival through their Ambassadors in Abuja. It will be recalled that since the inception of the Gastronomy Festival in 2021, Nigerian and International cuisines and cultural displays have been regular features of the event.
The Trinidad and Tobago High Commissioner in Nigeria, His Excellency, Wedell VC De Landro, promised to host a Pan Music rendition, as part of his country’s cultural display. The High Commissioner made the pledge in Abuja to Nura Sani Kangiwa, the Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (NIHOTOUR) and the Chief Host of the annual NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival, an event that he introduced upon assumption of duty as the DG of the Institute. The DG had earlier paid a Courtesy Visit to the High Commission of Trinidad & Tobago in Abuja.
The High Commissioner explained, “Pan Music is indigenous to Trinidad & Tobago even though the genre has become popular among Caribbean countries and long been exported to North America and Europe. Sadly, the Pan Music genre has poor showings in Africa, hence the High Commission here is driven to promote Pan Music in Nigeria and NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival provides us with a workable opportunity.” He revealed that he also plans to encourage future Pannists among secondary school students in Nigeria.
In his response, the Director General of NIHOTOUR, Nura Kangiwa, expressed delight at the introduction of the Pan Music rendition among other cultural displays during the Gastronomy Festival. Stating that “the participation of Trinidad & Tobago in this third edition of the food festival with Pan music colourful entertainment will not only enthral visitors, it will create opportunities for Nigerian tourism stakeholders to partner with Trinidad & Tobago and also expand the reach of the Gastronomy Festival in future editions.”
Similarly, the Senegalese Ambassador in Nigeria, His Excellency Nicolas Auguste NYOUKY, who received the Director General of NIHOTOUR at the Senegalese Embassy in Abuja, on Tuesday 16th of May, affirmed that the Senegalese Embassy will exhibit Senegalese cuisines at the Gastronomy Festival. He said, “The Gastronomy Festival is a unique project, and we will certainly come to showcase a variety of our cuisines and other food products. Senegal is foremost in hospitality and tourism services because of our ‘Teranga’ attitude which is in the DNA of most Senegalese. We are a very hospitable people hence Senegalese receive visitors and tourists with warmth.”
The Director General of NIHOTOUR had earlier revealed that “Senegal is a famous country in Nigeria due to its rich foods and unique fashion style. There is a popular dress style here in Nigeria called the Senegalese. It is like the Nigerian Kaftan but very adorable and is much desired here.” The Senegalese Ambassador replied in praise of Nigeria’s success in the movies and the creative industry. He said, “Your Nollywood is watched all over Africa and your music is a delight worldwide.”
The DG of NIHOTOUR visited the Embassy of Cote d’Ivoire in Diplomatic Drive in Central Area Abuja, where he had a fruitful meeting with the Ambassador, His Excellency Kalilou Traore. The Ambassador accepted the invitation to participate in the Gastronomy Festival and said, “I will mobilise some of the best Ivorian chefs and restaurateurs in Abuja to exhibit at the Gastronomy Festival and showcase some of our most popular foods.”
Activities lined-up for this year’s NIHOTOUR Gastronomy Festival include exhibitions of cuisines by select African and European countries, and diverse culinary arts displays such as Knife skills, Fruit Carving, Cake decoration, essay writing/quizzes for secondary schools, and cooking competition amongst culinary schools.
There would also be conferences involving Nigeria’s leading tourism and hospitality stakeholders and business operators, especially those that are members of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector Skills Council of Nigeria (HTSSCN) of which NIHOTOUR is the sole National Coordinator.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
